View from Mnakhim

For planning a trip to experience the serene beauty of Old Silk Route, across East Sikkim, it’s better to keep a few points in mind on a prior note. It will help you avoid the holiday travel hassles. Some scattered news on Silk Route permit, home stay and pre-booking on vehicles might be available on the internet. But, there is no structured response to all your travel-related queries for a desired trip across the Silk Route. Let this be of some help!

Ichey Gaon Home Stay
Ichey Gaon Home Stay
Ichey Gaon home stay
Ichey Gaon home stay

The most important point of concern in travelling with children and senior citizens is to take cognizance of their adaptability to high altitudes. In that case, you must avoid a night halt at the high altitude home-stays. There is applicable in planning for a trip to Zuluk or Nathang valley that might be unsuitable for the aged people or kids. However, they can stay at Padamchen and make a day- trip for sightseeing purposes. Another solution could be to transfer them to Gangtok from Padamchem, to avoid a night-stay at Nathang valley or Zuluk. In that case, the trip plan would be somewhat in the following order: Kalimpong >> Ramdura >> Ichey Gaon >> Sillery Gaon >> Mankhim >> Rongli >> Lingtam >> Padamchen >> Zuluk >> Lungthung >> Nathang Valley >> Gangtok.

Padamchen locals
Padamchen locals
Keukhola Waterfall
Keukhola Waterfall

keukhola falls

Again, if you and your family are avid snow –lovers and plan to visit East Sikkim in the winter months, you should pack enough woolen garments, jackets and pullovers to beat the chill. You might sense a chilling breeze, accompanied with a biting cold in those months, all across the Silk Route. A good home-made remedy is honey as it works wonders in common cold, just 2 tbps of it. Also, camphor is a good inhalant for people suffering with congestion and nasal blockage. Another common query among travelers is to know the procedures for arranging the permits for Silk Route and what all documents to carry along. Adults need to carry Voter ID cards (Original and Photostat copies), 2 passport sized photos, while children below the age of 18 years need Ration Cards or their Birth Certificates, for getting the inner line permits. Foreigners are not allowed to visit Silk Route. They are not given permits. Permits for Indian nationals are issued from the DPO office at Rongli within a day’s time. It is easily procured from the local tourist guides/often your drivers for the tour; at an additional cost of Rs. 100-200 INR each for running the errands. Bear in mind that no other identity proofs are usually accepted for issuance of permits. Be stocked with enough cash as ATMs aren’t much available until up to Rongli, only 1-2 of them too. You may find 3-4 ATMs at Rongpo for a stop-gap refill of cash for your entire tour of rest of Silk Route.

Aritar Lake
Aritar Lake
Aritar Lake
Aritar Lake
Aritar Homestay
Aritar Homestay

Enjoying the ethereal beauty of East Sikkim makes more sense to a biker! For bike riders and gang of youths who want to make the most of their moments in a remarkable tour of East Sikkim, be aware of the procedure of permits for you and the vehicle. Permits are available only from Gangtok for an entry into the Silk Route. All valid documents of the vehicle and the tourist must be presented. Although, only Voter ID cards are strictly preferred for issuing official permits, yet, from a personal experience, I have also witnessed under-the-table settlement in case of one of our fellow-travelers who wasn’t carrying a valid identity proof. It might be a tip in case of any exigency but you may resort to the official procedure to avoid any trouble on your trip.

Silk route Sikkim
Silk route
Padamchen Sunrise
Padamchen Sunrise View
Padamchen Campfire
Padamchen Campfire

If you plan to have liquor on the trip, please be sure to carry your own stock. There are no liquor shops all along the Silk Route, other than a few at Gangtok or Rongpo bazaar. Make the most of the trip with all the above information. Hope it turns out to be memorable one! The place is perfect for all groups – family, friends and honeymooners!  Stay tuned to TravelDias for more travel updates and information. You can mail me at “uvreachedavi@gmail.com” for any detail you need. Keep traveling, cheers…!

 

26 thoughts on “What All To Keep in Mind before Visiting Silk Route in Sikkim?”

  1. Hi dear…..i along with my wife planing to visit silk route by hiring bullet bike from gangtok Tibet road….and come back to gangtok again.. Plz give me info regarding this..like permits.. Stay, food, sightseeing ect warm welcome from our side..

     
  2. Hi dear…..i along with my wife planing to visit silk route by hiring bullet bike from gangtok Tibet road….and come back to gangtok again.. Plz give me info regarding this..like permits.. Stay, food, sightseeing ect warm welcome from our side.. My plan is 8 june to 12 june

     
  3. We r planning to go at sikkim for 6 days from 03 September to 10 September. Is it the good time to visit East n North Sikkim plz advise me. Plz suggest the best plan for this duration thanks.

     
  4. We r planning to go for silk route tour for 7 days from 25.12.2016 to 31.12.2016,
    we are 06 Adults, 02 child age 6+, 01 child age 10 years.. total 03 family, total budget Rs.55000/- njp to njp.. can u help us.

     
  5. We r planning to go for silk route tour for 4 night/5 days from 21.12.2016 to 25.12.2016,
    we are couple (2 adults) and it will be our first homeymoon tour after marriage, total budget Rs.25000/- njp to njp.. can u help us with a proper tour plan as we will be going in December and it will be very cold on that time.

     
    1. Hi Dipika! Yes, it will be very cold so prepare and take clothing accordingly. I have mailed you detailed plan. Check your inbox and revert back there only for further information or detail.

       
  6. Hi Abhijit, We (2adults) are planning to travel gangtok, sikkim in this december from 11th – 17th. within these dates we want to travel to sikkim silk route for 2n/3d, can you help us with the tour plan. Can you provide any packages for silk route as well..or suggest someone for the same??

     
  7. Will you please confirm me, whether permit for SILK ROUTE is granted for 2days only. We have scheduled our trip to SILK ROUTE from 14-22/4/2017 and will stay overnight at Padamchen, Zuluk & Nathang Valley for one night in each place. However, our travel agent has communicated that only 2 days permit will be granted. But nowhere we could find such information about permit validity. Will you please help us to come over such confusion. Thanks & best regards.

     
  8. We are 6pax,planning to visit silk route april2018. I would like to know that during this time weather would be clear or not. Please make a plan for me for 8-10days on 14th april 2018.

     
  9. Hi Abhijit,

    We (4 adults) are planning to visit Silk Route in this October.
    Can you please help us with tour plan and budget?
    We’ll be staying for 4 nights and 5 days.

    Thanks,
    Tanmoy

     
  10. Hi Abhijit,

    We r planning to go for silk route tour for 5 night/6 days from 11.08.2018 to 16.08.2018,
    we are 3 adults, 1 infant (2years) and it will be our first tour to hill station ,can u help us with a proper tour plan as we will be going in August and what things/precautions need to take for that time. I am very much confused for my baby.

    Thanks

     
  11. Hi…We r planning to visit silk route from 21-28Dec 2018. We r 4 adults with 3 kids aged 13 &11. Please help us with a detailed itinerary from NJP-NJP. Budget is 60,000(total). Which r the best home stays available? Kindly help !

     
    1. There are many home stays and I can suggest you one only when I know your taste and expectations. Let us talk over the phone. Please do call me at 9831540384.

       

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